Method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of tlv-objects

ABSTRACT

Method for assigning a priority mechanism to a least one group of TLV-objects (TLVO 1 -TLVO 3 ) for data exchange between a transmitting and receiving entity, for storing data on, and/or for reading data from a storage medium by assigning a structure (ST) for TLV-objects in the transmitting and receiving entity; and/or on the storage medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The standardization body 3GPP TSG SA1, which is responsible for the definition of general MMS service aspects (see 3GPP TS 22.140, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS); Service Aspects; Stage 1 (Release 5)), has approved new requirements for (automatic) bearer selection in MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). According to these requirements, an MMS-capable UE (=User Equipment: e.g., a mobile phone) shall be able to automatically select a bearer from a list of different sets of Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters stored in the USIM (UMTS Subscriber Identity Module) based on their order of precedence. When automatic selection of bearers is disabled, the user shall be able to select a bearer manually from the Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters. Furthermore, it is also desirable that the switch to a less preferred bearer, in case the most preferred is not available, takes place without any user intervention. Network operators and users will benefit from the usage of the most suitable bearer for the delivery and submission of Multimedia Messages. Currently, in the 3GPP USIM specification TS 31.102, there is no way to express any order of precedence with the storage of Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters and, thus, the new standardization requirements cannot be met.

The present invention aims to bring a solution to the above-described problem. It preferably defines two alternative, advantageous mechanisms to prioritize a list of TLV objects, and two corresponding mechanisms for automatic bearer selection from the MMS Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters based on their order of precedence.

Nowadays, in mobile networks like GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), SMS (Short message Service) is used to send and receive short messages between mobile terminals. Currently, a new messaging service, the so-called MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is being standardized. Contrary to SMS, MMS messages may contain multimedia elements such as, for example, text, image, audio or video.

MMS is a peer-to-peer messaging service between two MMS User Agents which are both connected to an MMS Relay/Server. The User Agent resides either on a mobile phone, such as a UMTS-UE (User Equipment) or a GSM-MS (Mobile Station), on an external device, such as a notebook/laptop, connected to a mobile phone, or even on a PC. It is preferable an application layer function that provides the user with the ability to view, compose and handle the Multimedia Messages (=MMs); for example, the submitting and receiving of MMs. The MMS Relay/Server is a network entity responsible for the storage and handling of incoming and outgoing messages and for the transfer of messages between different messaging systems. In general terms, there is a data exchange between such a transmitting and receiving entity.

Mobile communication services such as the 2^(nd) generation (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)) and the 3^(rd) generation, (e.g., UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) preferably use well-defined smart cards in addition to mobile phones. Plugged into a mobile phone, these smart cards enable a user to use the mobile communication service he/she has subscribed to. Moreover, user preferences and settings as well as a user's personal information can be stored on such smart cards. In GSM these cards are called SIM (Subscriber Identity Module). In UMTS one distinguishes between the physical card which is called UICC (Universal IC Card; IC: Integrated Circuit) and its logical functionality, the USIM (UMTS Subscriber Identity Module).

An Elementary File for MMS Connectivity Parameters (=EFMMSCP) is defined on the USIM. This EF (Elementary File) contains values for Multimedia Messaging Connectivity Parameters, which can be used by the ME for user assistance in preparation of connecting to the network for the MMS purpose. The EFMMSCP is present, when the MMS service in the USIM service table is “available.” This EFMMSCP is shown in FIG. 1.

The EFMMSCP is an transparent file (for example, on a storage medium like a smart card), where the MMS connectivity parameters are stored in sequential order. To make searching and reading out of the parameters easier, the parameters are stored by making use of the so-called, constructed TLV (Tag, Length, Value) object structure. The MMS Connectivity Parameters consist of MMS implementation, which indicates the used implementation (e.g., WAP), the MMS Relay/Server address, a set of Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information including access point for the core network (e.g., GGSN) and required bearer information elements (e.g., Bearer, Address, Type of address, Speed, Call type, Authentication type, Authentication id, Authentication password) and a set of Gateway Information (e.g., Address, Type of address, Port, Service, Authentication type, Authentication id and Authentication password). All this information is coded according to the guideline provided in 3GPP TS 23.140 (see 3GPP TS 23.140, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS); Functional description; stage 2 (Release 5)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for assigning the priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects for data exchange between the transmitting and receiving entity, for storing data on, and/or for reading data from a storage medium by assigning a priority structure for the TLV-objects in the transmitting and receiving entity and/or on the storage medium.

In an embodiment of the method, the priority structure is expressed by the order of precedence of the TLV-objects.

In an embodiment of the method, the priority structure is defined within the field value of at least one TLV-object.

In an embodiment of the method, the TLV-objects, for which the priority structure was assigned, are different sets of MMS connectivity information.

In an embodiment of the method, the TLV-objects for which the priority structure was assigned, are different sets of interface to core network and barrier bearer information within the value field of at least one interface to core network and bearer TLV-object.

In an embodiment of the method, the priority structure for the TLV-objects is assigned by sequential numbering of the tag values of the TLV-objects.

In an embodiment of the method, the tag values are applied in such away that they are unique in a number of tags of the TLV-objects.

In an embodiment of the method, the TLV-object with the highest priority is of mandatory status.

In an embodiment of the method, the transmitting and/or receiving entity is mobile equipment.

In an embodiment of the method, the selection of bearers for MMS is automatically performed by the mobile equipment based on the assigned priority structure of the TLV-objects.

In an embodiment of the method, the storage medium is a smart card, particularly a SIM, UICC, USIM, WWIM, R-UIM or DIM.

In an embodiment of the method, the storage medium is plugged into user equipment.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1, consisting of parts 1A and 1B illustrates the storage of MMS connectivity parameters in EFMMSCP as defined in 3GPP TS 31.102 V5.0.0 (Release 5) Characteristics of the USIM Application.

FIG. 2 illustrates how the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” is expressed by the order of different sets of MMS Connectivity Information according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3, consisting of parts 3A and 3B, illustrates how the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” is expressed by the order of different sets of MMS Connectivity Information according to the first embodiment of the present invention on a USIM level.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” is expressed by their order within one set of MMS Connectivity Information according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5, consisting of parts 5A and 5B, how the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” is expressed by their order within one set of MMS Connectivity Information according to the second embodiment of the present invention on a USIM level.

Like reference signs refer to corresponding parts and elements throughout FIGS. 1 through 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the following example is discussed. The mechanisms in this example allow the MMS-capable UE to automatically select a bearer from the Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters based on their order of precedence as defined on the USIM unless otherwise specified by the user. When automatic selection of bearers is disabled, the user is still able to select a bearer manually from the Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters. There are two preferable ways to achieve this:

-   -   I) The first way to achieve automatic bearer selection is to         assign a priority mechanism to MMS Connectivity Parameters sets         (see FIG. 2). Several sets (for example, TLVO1-TLVO3 in—FIG. 2)         of MMS connectivity parameters can be stored in the EFMMSCP, set         1: 1st MMS connectivity parameters TLV11-TLV41 (tag, length,         value), set 2: 2nd MMS connectivity parameters, set 3: 3rd MMS         connectivity parameters. All the connectivity parameters sets         consist of MMS implementation, MMS Relay/Server, Interface to         Core Network and Bearer information and Gateway information. In         all these three MMS connectivity parameters sets, the MMS         Implementation, the MMS Relay/Server and the Gateway information         may be the same (MMS Implementation A, MMS Relay/Server A and         Gateway A), only the Interface to Core Network and Bearer         information differ from each other (1st MMS connectivity         parameters =>Interface to Core Network and Bearer A, 2nd MMS         connectivity parameters =>Interface to Core Network and Bearer         B, 3rd MMS connectivity parameters =>Interface to Core Network         and Bearer C). In general the order of precedence for “Interface         to Core Network and Bearer Information” is expressed,         respectively assigned by the order of different sets of MMS         connectivity Information. For assigning a priority mechanism to         at least one group of TLV-objects (for example, TLVO1-TLVO3 in         FIG. 2) for data exchange between a transmitting and receiving         entity, for storing data on, and/or for reading data from a         storage medium, a structure ST is assigned, particularly defined         for TLV-objects; for example, TLVO1-TLVO3 in the transmitting         and receiving entity, and/or on the storage medium. The priority         structure ST is preferably expressed by the order of precedence         of the TLV-objects like TLVO1-TLVO3. Thereby, such structure is         preferably defined within the value field (e.g., VAL1 in FIG. 2)         of at least one TLV-object (e.g., TLVO1). Advantageously, the         TLV-objects, for which the priority was assigned, are different         sets; e.g., TLVO1-TLVO3 of MMS connectivity information.

In case of automatic bearer selection, the MMS UA will always conveniently select the MMS Connectivity Parameters set with the highest priority; in this example the 1^(st) set of MMS connectivity parameters. When the automatic bearer selection is deactivated, the user can select the preferred bearer manually from the list of bearers. In the example according to FIG. 2, the user can choose between the 1^(st) set of MMS connectivity parameters, the 2^(nd) MMS set of connectivity parameters and the 3^(rd) set of MMS connectivity parameters.

FIG. 3, by way of example, shows how different sets of MMS Connectivity Information can be stored on the USIM and how the order of precedence for Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information can be expressed. Automatic bearer selection can make use of the order of the different sets of MMS Connectivity Information as described above. FIG. 3 illustrates how the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” is assigned, particularly expressed by the order of different sets of MMS Connectivity Information on USIM level: A priority mechanism is assigned to the group of MMS Connectivity Parameters TLV objects: 1^(st) MMS Connectivity Parameters TLV objects (highest priority), 2^(nd) MMS Connectivity Parameters TLV objects, . . . , n^(th) MMS Connectivity Parameters TLV objects (lowest priority). The way in which the automatic bearer selection based on the order of precedence for Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information works is described above.

II) Another advantageous way to achieve the storage of different sets of Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information together with precedence information on the USIM for automatic bearer selection is depicted in FIG. 4. The order of precedence for Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information is expressed by their order within one set of MMS Connectivity Information; i.e., the priority mechanism is defined for a list of TLV objects that are the “value” (e.g., VALF) of a TLV object (e.g., TLVO). MMS connectivity Parameters contain MMS implementation, MMS Relay/Server, Interface to Core Network and Bearer information and Gateway information. The Interface to Core Network and Bearer information TLVO may consist of several sets of Interface to Core Network and Bearer information: 1st Interface to Core Network and Bearer information (e.g., SE1); 2nd Interface to Core Network and Bearer information (e.g., SE2), . . . , nth Interface to Core Network and Bearer information (e.g., SEn). Thus, in FIG. 4, the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” is expressed by their order within one set SE of MMS Connectivity Information. In general terms, the TLV-objects, for which the priority was assigned, are different sets (e.g., SE1-Sen) of interface to core network and bearer information within the value field (e.g., VALF) of at least one interface to core network and bearer TLV-object.

In case of automatic bearer selection, the MMS UA will always select the MMS Connectivity Parameters set with the highest priority; in this example, the 1 st set of Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information. When the automatic bearer selection is deactivated, the user can select the preferred bearer manually from the list of bearers. In this example, the user can choose between the 1st set of Interface to Core Network and Bearer information, the 2nd set of Interface to Core Network and Bearer information and the nth set of Interface to Core Network and Bearer information.

FIG. 5 shows how different sets of Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information can be stored within one TLV object on the USIM and how the order of precedence for Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information can be expressed. Automatic bearer selection can make use of the order of the different sets of the Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information as described above. Particularly in FIG. 5, the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” is expressed by their order within one set of MMS Connectivity Information on the USIM level. Thereby the priority structure for the TLV-objects is assigned by sequential numbering (e.g., SN) of the tag values (e.g., TV) of the TLV-objects. The tag values are applied in such a way that they are unique within the multiple tags of the TLV-objects.

A priority mechanism is assigned within a TLV object dedicated to the Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information; namely 1^(st) MMS Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information TLV objects (highest priority), 2^(nd) MMS Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information TLV objects, . . . , n^(th) MMS Interface to Core network and Bearer Information TLV objects (lowest priority). The way in which the automatic bearer selection by using the order of precedence for “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” work is described above.

For all embodiments, the TLV-object with highest priority is advantageously of mandatory status.

The present invention provides two advantageous, alternative solutions to store different sets of Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information on the USIM in order of precedence as required by 3GPP TSG SA1 and allows the MMS-capable UE to automatically select a bearer from these different sets of Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters based on their order of precedence unless otherwise specified by the user. When automatic selection of bearers is disabled, the user is still able to select a bearer manually from the sets of Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters.

An advantage of the mechanisms described herein is that the user's MMS capable terminal can be either configured either automatically (i.e. without any user interaction) with the appropriate bearer based on the order of precedence or manually.

Another advantage is that the mechanisms described herein are independent of the user's particular Mobile Equipment (i.e. mobile phone) at a certain point of time. The priority for the bearer selection mechanisms described is preferably stored on the USIM on the UICC, which can be plugged into Mobile Equipment (=ME) or any apparatus connected to a terminal (user equipment=mobile equipment+storage; e.g., smart card).

For this, preferably provided are:

Mechanisms for automatic and manual bearer selection from the MMS Interface to Core Network and Bearer parameters based on their order of precedence defined on Smart Cards:

-   a) The order of precedence for Interface to Core Network and Bearer     Information expressed by the order of different sets of MMS     Connectivity Information.     -   Definition of a priority mechanism for a group of TLV objects in         an EF (Element File) on a smart card; e.g., SIM, UICC, USIM,         WIM, R-UIM, DIM, etc.     -   Functionality of the MMS UA for handling automatic and manual         bearer selection (see example(s) of the present invention         according to FIG. 2-5). -   b) The order of precedence for Interface to Core Network and Bearer     Information is expressed by their order within one set of MMS     Connectivity Information.     -   Definition of a priority mechanism for a group of TLV objects         within one (constructed) TLV object in an EF on a smart card;         e.g., SIM, UICC, USIM, WIM, R-UIM, DIM, etc.     -   Functionality of the MMS UA for handling automatic and manual         bearer selection (see example(s) of the present invention         according to FIGS. 2-5).

Further, the mechanisms to assign priority to TLV objects as described herein can be applied to any application that makes use of TLV objects. The mechanisms to assign priority to TLV objects also can be used for other general purposes where TLV objects are used.

Further, the automatic and manual selection mechanisms of prioritized TLV objects as described herein are not restricted to the purpose of storing “Interface to Core Network and Bearer Information” on the USIM. The mechanisms can be applied to any application that makes use of TLV objects as well. The automatic and manual selection mechanisms also can be used for other general purposes where TLV objects are used.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the hereafter appended claims.

The present invention particularly makes use of the following references:

-   -   [1] 3GPP TS 31.102 V5.0.0 (Release 5), Characteristics of the         USIM Application     -   GPP TS 23.140, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS);     -   Functional description; stage 2(Release 5)     -   W. Rankl, W. Effing, Smartcard Handbook, John Wiley & Sons,         second edition, 2000.     -   [4] 3GPP TS 22.140, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS); Service         Aspects; Stage 1 (Release 5) 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects for at least one of data exchange between a transmitting and receiving entity, storing data on a storage medium, and reading data from a storage medium, the method comprising assigning a priority structure for the TLV-objects at least one of in the transmitting and receiving entity and on the storage medium.
 14. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 13, wherein the priority structure is expressed by an order of precedence of the TLV-objects.
 15. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 14, wherein the priority structure is defined within a value field of at least one of the TLV-objects.
 16. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 13, wherein the TLV-objects, for which the priority structure was assigned, are different sets of MMS connectivity information.
 17. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 13, wherein the TLV-objects, for which the priority structure was assigned, are different sets of interface to core network and bearer information within a value field of at least one interface to core network and bearer TLV-object.
 18. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 13, wherein the priority structure for the TLV-objects is assigned by sequentially numbering of tag values of the TLV-objects.
 19. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 18, wherein the tagged values are applied so as to be unique within a plurality of tags of the TLV-objects.
 20. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 13, wherein a TLV-object with highest priority is of mandatory status.
 21. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transmitting and receiving entity is mobile equipment.
 22. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 21, wherein a selection of bearers for MMS is automatically performed by the mobile equipment based on the assigned priority structure of the TLV-objects.
 23. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage medium is a smartcard.
 24. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 23, wherein the smartcard is one of an SIM, a UICC, a USIM, a WIM, an R-UIM and a DIM.
 25. A method for assigning a priority mechanism to at least one group of TLV-objects as claimed in claim 23, wherein the smartcard is plugged into user equipment. 